A groundbreaking study claims to have discovered a new colour, olo, that defies human perception, challenging our understanding of visual perception and its implications for colour blindness.
A recent study published in the journal Science Advances claims to have discovered a new colour that no human has ever seen before. The researchers, led by Prof Ren Ng from the University of California, used an experiment involving laser pulses fired into participants’ eyes to stimulate specific cells in the retina.
In 2009, a team of scientists at Oregon State University discovered a new pigment called YInMn blue.
This vibrant blue color is not only aesthetically pleasing but also has unique properties that make it useful for various applications.
YInMn blue is created by combining yttrium, indium, and manganese oxides.
Its discovery was significant, as it marked the first time a new pigment had been discovered in over 200 years.
The color's heat-resistant properties make it ideal for use in paints, coatings, and even art conservation.
The Experimental Methodology
The team shined a laser beam into the pupil of one eye of each participant, who all had normal colour vision. Three of the participants, including Prof Ng, were co-authors of the research paper. The equipment used was designed previously by some of the involved researchers and consisted of mirrors, lasers, and optical devices.
The Discovery of Olo
The participants looked into a device called Oz, which consists of mirrors, lasers, and optical devices. According to the research paper, the laser only stimulated M cones, ‘which in principle would send a colour signal to the brain that never occurs in natural vision‘. This means that the colour olo could not be seen by a person’s naked eye in the real world without the help of specific stimulation.
Color perception is the process by which the human eye and brain interpret light wavelengths as colors.
The retina contains specialized cells called cone cells, sensitive to red, green, and blue light, allowing for trichromatic vision.
This enables individuals to perceive a wide range of colors, approximately 1 million distinct hues.
Color perception can be influenced by factors such as lighting conditions, color context, and individual differences in visual processing.
To verify the colour observed during the experiment, each participant adjusted a controllable colour dial until it matched olo. Prof Ng described olo as ‘more saturated than any colour that you can see in the real world‘, saying that if someone saw only pink their whole life and then saw something like this, they would be surprised.
The Implications of the Discovery
While some experts have questioned the existence of a new colour, the study’s co-author Prof Ng believes that the results could potentially further research into colour blindness. Colour blind people find it difficult to distinguish between certain colours, and the discovery of olo could provide new insights into this condition.
Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is a condition where a person has difficulty perceiving certain colors.
It affects approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females worldwide.
The most common type is red-green color blindness, which is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern.
This means it is more common in males, who have only one X chromosome, while females can be carriers or affected if they inherit two defective X chromosomes.
Color blindness can also result from eye diseases, medications, or head injuries.
Prof John Barbur, a vision scientist at City St George’s University of London, noted that while the research is a ‘technological feat’ in stimulating selective cone cells, the discovery of a new colour is ‘open to argument‘. However, Prof Ng and his team are studying the findings to see what it could potentially mean for colour blind people.
